Which Fort Worth area legislative candidates want to legalize marijuana? Here’s the list
Texas has been slow to loosen marijuana laws. Will that change after the general election?
A number of candidates on the ballot support changes to laws related to marijuana possession, whether it is legalization or lessening criminal penalties.
“Looking at the landscape of the rest of the states, Texas is sort of out of step with where marijuana policy is,” said Brandon Rottinghaus, a University of Houston political science professor.
Texas allows for limited access to medical marijuana through its compassionate use program. It has been expanded in recent legislative sessions to include conditions like post traumatic stress disorder and cancer, but remains narrow in scope.
At the top of the state ticket, Democrat Beto O’Rourke is all in on allowing the recreational use of marijuana, while Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has taken a more tepid approach, supporting penalty reductions for low-level possession offenses.
An August poll from The Dallas Morning-News and The University of Texas at Tyler found that 72% of those surveyed supported or strongly supported legal medical marijuana. Fifty-five percent supported or strongly supported legal recreational marijuana.
The majority support crossed party lines for medicinal use: 67% of Republicans were in favor of legal medical marijuana compared to 75% of Democrats. Recreational marijuana was supported or strongly supported by 43% of Republicans and 65% of Democrats.
“Neither the governor nor, but especially, the lieutenant governor have been very open to the liberalization of marijuana law, even as public opinion, including among Republicans, has become open to it,” said Jim Henson, director of The Texas Politics Project, which has done polling of public opinion on marijuana policy.
If O’Rourke were to win statewide, something a Democrat in Texas hasn’t been done since 1994, he’s optimistic about legalization’s chances. The “controlled, regulated sale of marijuana” is probably one of the most popular ideas across party lines, he told the Star-Telegram.
“I think there’s enough common sense in this state that the wisdom of doing the right thing will prevail,” he said.
But Henson is skeptical. There are still pockets of the Republican Party where there’s resistance to loosening marijuana laws, particularly when it comes to legalization, he said. Additionally, if the House and Senate remain under Republican control, there would be little incentive to give in to Democrat statewide executives, he said.
Additionally, lawmakers are expected to have a surplus as they craft the state budget, weakening the fiscal argument for marijuana legalization, Henson said.
Advocates for expanded access to marijuana have pointed to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick as head of the Texas Senate as holding up marijuana law reforms. Patrick’s campaign did not return a candidate questionnaire that included a question about his position.
Patrick has expressed opposition to legalization. In a 2014 video during his campaign for lieutenant governor, he raised concerns about medical marijuana sold to children. In 2019, he wrote on Twitter that a bill to reduce penalties for those caught with a small amount of marijuana was dead in the Texas Senate after it had passed the House. Patrick’s Democratic opponent Mike Collier supports legalization.
“I think that is going to be a very important position next year, to make sure that the lieutenant governor is on board and understands the importance of these different policy changes that we need to make,” said Jax James, the executive director of Texas NORML, which advocates for legal cannabis and publishes a voter guide.
Texas NORML is already working with lawmakers to improve the state’s medical marijuana program and address penalty reductions, James said. The next legislative session starts Jan. 10.
As Texans prepare to head to the polls, here’s what the candidates said in response to the Star-Telegram’s candidate questionnaire or an emailed question about their position on marijuana laws in Texas. The questions were sent to state and legislative candidates who have an opponent in the November election.
The candidates were asked the following: Should Texas loosen its marijuana laws? Would you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational and/or medical use? The responses have not been edited and are in the candidates’ own words.
Governor
Greg Abbott (Republican, incumbent): I have signed several laws that have expanded marijuana for medical purposes, such as cancer, PTSD, and epilepsy. I also believe that prison and jail is a place for dangerous criminals who may harm someone. Possession of a small amount of marijuana is not the type of violation that we want to stockpile jails with. So, I have advocated to make possession of small amounts of marijuana a Class C misdemeanor like a traffic ticket.
Beto O’Rourke (Democrat): It’s time for Texas to do the bipartisan, commonsense, fiscally smart thing and legalize marijuana. Legalizing, carefully regulating, and taxing marijuana will generate major benefits for our economy: it will bring in nearly $1 billion every year in new state revenue and reduced criminal justice costs while creating 40,000 direct jobs as well as tens of thousands of indirect jobs. It’ll also allow law enforcement agencies to spend more time and attention on addressing violent crime: right now, Texas officers spend four hours on each cannabis arrest, while clearance rates for violence crimes like homicide and rape have dropped year after year.
Lieutenant Governor
Dan Patrick (Republican, incumbent): Did not respond.
Mike Collier (Democrat): Republicans and Democrats across Texas agree that decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana to create a regulated state industry is smart state policy. It will pave the way for easier access to medical treatment, particularly for veterans who haven’t found other treatments effective for chronic pain and PTSD from serving our country. While there are real questions on the details and actual implementation, and it will take difficult discussions, I’ve spent a career solving these kinds of problems. And this is one more issue where there is growing consensus — from Democrats and Republicans–and Dan Patrick stands in the way.
Senate District 9
Kelly Hancock, (Republican incumbent): Did not respond.
Gwenn Burud (Democrat): I firmly stand by legalizing marijuana here in the Lone Star State. Cannabis reform is about healthcare, criminal justice, and boosting our economy. Economically speaking, we are losing out on tourism and tax revenue to other states that have shown marijuana can be sold legally. It’s about time we caught up with other states on this issue. I would like to add that cannabis should be regulated in the same manner as alcohol.
Senate District 12
Tan Parker (Republican): Did not respond.
Francine Ly (Democrat): Yes, Texas should either loosen it’s marijuana laws or legalize the use of marijuana. While overall rates of arrest for possession have decreased over the years, minorities and individuals of color are still being arrested at a higher rate than white individuals. Additionally, approximately 97% of marijuana arrests are possession charges, and it disproportionately affects younger Texans (ages 17-24) and again communities of color. Legalizing recreational and medicinal use of marijuana will bring in a new revenue stream for the state. Revenue that is needed to fund our underpaid educators, to increase funding for rural hospitals, and so many other projects that will benefit all Texans.“
Senate District 22
Brian Birdwell (Republican, incumbent): Did not respond.
Jeremy Schroppel (Democrat): I feel that Texas should decriminalize marijuana and other recreational drugs with releasing anybody incarcerated for prior offenses and expunging their records. Yes, I support legalization of marijuana for recreational and/or medical use.
House District 92
Joe Livingston (Republican): Absolutely NOT! Marijuana and other drugs lead to other crimes and health care issues.
Salman Bhojani (Democrat): When looking at states that have legalized marijuana, the health and economic benefits are overwhelming. I believe marijuana legalization would encourage economic growth across the state, and would encourage law enforcement to better prioritize community safety over distrust.I support fully decriminalizing marijuana, and legalizing its regulated and taxed sale in Texas. By taxing marijuana and regulating the industry, we can generate revenue for our state and ensure marijuana purchased has health and safety oversight measures in-place. I also support expunging criminal charges for the possession and small sale of marijuana.
House District 93
Nate Schatzline (Republican): No.
KC Chowdhury (Democrat): A better question is, why shouldn’t Texas implement reasonable policies on the growing, sale and use of cannabis and cannabis products for both medical and recreational use. The health and economic benefits to States that have legalized cannabis are overwhelming and undeniable. I support fully legalizing marijuana, regulating its use and taxing its sale.
House District 94
Tony Tinderholt (Republican, Incumbent): Did not respond.
Dennis Sherrard (Democrat): Yes, and yes.
House District 95
Taylor Mondick (Republican): Yes, I support the legalization of marijuana for both recreational and/or medical use.
Nicole Collier (Democrat, Incumbent): Yes and Yes.
House District 97
Craig Goldman (Republican, Incumbent): Did not respond.
Laurin McLaurin (Democrat): People are making money off of marijuana and have been for years. Legalizing marijuana for recreational and medical use will change who gets that money from drug dealers to the tax man. It will give money to enforce drug laws against other more lethal drugs.
House District 98
Giovanni Capriglione (Republican, Incumbent): Did not respond.
Shannon Elkins (Democrat): I support the legalization of cannabis products for medical and recreational use. Texas wastes far too much money, effort, and time in cannabis prohibition.
House District 99
Charlie Geren (Republican, Incumbent): Did not respond.
Mimi Coffey (Democrat): Yes. 100%.
